Contrary to what’s been said above, Conrad Kalitta and Kalitta Air have nothing to do with Kitty Hawk. Many years ago Conrad Kalitta had an airline called Kalitta Air, later renamed American International after Conrad Kalitta got out of the airline business. Kalitta/AIA operated 747, TriStar, DC-8 and 727 freighters. American International bought out a domestic US freight operator called Kitty Hawk which operated a large fleet of 727Fs, the two airlines merged, and a new airline was created doing business under two identities – Kitty Hawk, and Kitty Hawk International. Kitty Hawk operated the 727s, whilst Kitty Hawk International operated the 747s, L10s and DC-8s. Kitty Hawk was successful but Kitty Hawk International turned out to be a bit of a disaster and resulted in the entire airline going into chapter 11. All of the long haul fleet was parked, mainly at Victoville and Mojave, but also Oscada MI where the international part of the airline had a maintenance base.

The former management of Kitty Hawk bought back the domesting part of the airline, and that’s the KHA that is now taking delivery of 737Fs, whilst the long haul airplanes remained parked. Conrad Kalitta decided to get back into airlines (I believe his son runs Kalitta Air now) and has gradually bought the AIA/Kitty Hawk Intl 747Fs from the recievers, rebuilding the business as Kalitta Air again.

So, two entirely seperate airlines again now – Kitty Hawk with 727Fs and 737Fs, and Kalitta Air owned by Conrad and operating 747Fs.

Andy

Very impressive clarification. That clears things up a bunch.